Dixon time

What a more perfect way to end the summer than a visit from my brother John, sister-in-law Rachel, and Josh and Emily!! The biggest problem was that, as always, the time went way too fast. It was so amazing to have them here, to share this piece of my life and heart and see them loving the same things I do. The kids played endlessly in the water, only falling in love with the ocean on the last few days. Josh's favorite thing ended up being Coke in the bottle! We did some kayaking and swimming and walking and playing.

One of the most special things for me that week was taking my family through the village. The kids brought some toys to give out which was fun to watch. Within the first few minutes, some of my girls from school took ahold of Emily's hands and were leading her through the village. They connected to her so quickly and remembered her when we went back again. She brought along 7 of her own My Little Ponies to give out and each girl in the house was able to get one (big family!). She got to ride on the back of Jonathan's moto, the fearless one that she is! It was also fun to see the kids interact with the Trautwein kids, something I have thought about so much and it became sort of surreal to actually see these two lives mixing. Of course it was also amazing to wake up to thumb-sucking Josh in my bed or Emily telling me that she couldn't sleep because the roosters and monkeys woke her up (P.S., there are NO monkeys in the D.R!)

The time with John and Rachel was very special too. I have been blessed endlessly with a close family and realize that more and more as I grow up and experience more of life. The closeness we have is irreplaceable and I am so thankful to have been able to share with them. Many things happened over these days that I know were planned long ago. Again, it was the best way to end a busy summer and so fantastic to see my family here, something I'm still thankful for.

Summer teams

Wow, we said good-bye to our last summer team today and I can't believe summer is actually over for us. I feel like we were just heading into this with all the fears of having never lead teams before. Thank you to Grace Bible, Cape Bible Chapel, Plano Bible team #1 and #2, and Valley Community Baptist team #1 and #2. With your help we finished the batherooms, painted the bathrooms and the school, started and nearly finished 2 new classrooms, started and did amazing work on the gazebo, and saw about 500 patients in surrounding villages. It was a busy summer, I think we're all exhausted, but so grateful for the work that was done, the new friends we made, and the time we got to spend together. What an accomplishment all around!

More mobile medical

We had an amazing week doing mobile medical clinics. Some of the villages we went to were so incredible, the people, the location, the things we got to do. It was overwhelming sometimes, but mostly just special to be a part of it. The turn-out was huge, often we had to turn people away as we just didn't have the time to stay in each village. What a team we had working, I was able to learn a lot and grow in many ways.

Moblie Medical clinics

With the team this week we have been going to the surrounding villages for mobile medical clinics. It has been challenging and amazing. The amount of people we have seen is incredible, from 75-100+ each day. Many of these people would otherwise not have healthcare, and it's evident on many that they never have had healthcare. I've been learning a lot and seeing a lot as I work alongside the doctors and team in this group. We've got 2 more days and 3 more villages to see.

What keeps me here

End of summer program

What an amazing day it was today! It was the last day of summer program for the kids and it was a game day. The kids got to do lots of different games, crafts, and then had a special lunch of hot dogs and french fries...for many of which it was a first! They were all given a bag of goodies which had toys and some sweets to take home. The biggest hit of all was the umbrella hats!!!
(Tommy and Wilson, first graders, cuddling Estefani and Gira, Marquito & Andres)

I love each one of these kids so much, I hate to see them have a last day...but hopefully I'll still see them around the village.

(Jessi & Andres, Zeneida & Jeta, Pablito and his new amazing hat, summer interns-Tommy, Amanda, Emily, Gina)

Park Care Center staff along with the summer interns.

Put to use

I got to use my new otoscope twice today! So thankful to be able to actually look in ears when kids tell me their ears hurt. How cute is little Julio by the way? This is my baby Princesa's older brother...she's going to be really cute!

Yay for supplies!

Yes, that's right, we officially have a shiny, real, amazing otoscope! I can't wait to be able to use it...I've already got a client waiting for the morning! It's so fantastic to have so much support and people willing to help meet our needs. Very, very exciting.

Boys

Baby Jonathan is doing so much better after only one week. He's been well taken care of all week and is now laughing and playing and climbing...being a real baby. He's still tiny for a 9-month old, but he's on his way to growing up! Here's Aaron and Jonathan trying to impart some manly vibes with him as he's constantly surrounded by girls!

more and more

5 eggs today...things are looking up!

Huevos

One more egg was laid today...and inside the nesting box. What good hens we have, and smart too!

Finally

Well after almost 3 months of waiting and watching...we've got eggs! Our lovely little hens laid 2 eggs for us yesterday and it was an exciting day. We put them in the nesting boxes so that it'll encourage them to lay inside the box and not on the ground. Hopefully this is the start of many happy egg-collecting days!

Donations

So when the electricity is out for days (or so it seems) and it's hot and sweaty, it's photos like this that keep me happy. We got these "hats" donated by the last group and they are nothing less than amazing! Layne and Tommy decided to try them out and they loved them.

Weekend in review

It was a busy little weekend. Saturday our team left after 2 great weeks of solid construction and hard work. The classrooms are really coming along and I can't wait to see a new group of 4 year olds this fall! Sunday I went to the village because there is a big soccer tournament for the next 3 months. I got to cuddle little Jonathan for a bit, who was being starved by his mom and is now being re-hydrated and nourished while plans are made for him. I never actually got to see the game as it started so late...but I was able to talk with lots of friends and play with my kids so it was all worth it. Princessa even came and played with me for a bit!

Tough guys

These are two of my favorite boys...so long as I'm allowed to have favorites that is. They both have really tough exteriors but look what happens when you get to know them, hug them, and love on them-they smile and love back! I've seen so many changes in these two over the year and I hope to see more as they continue at the school and grow up. Life can be hard in the village, either having no parents or 12 siblings, each kid comes in with their own story, their own background, their own issues. I only hope that the love I get to give them reaches a part of them.

Sin Agua

So for water in the house, we have two big black tanks on the roof. When the street water arrives, it fills up the tanks and we use that in the house. So what happens when the street water doesn't arrive for a few days and you have 20 people showering, flushing, and washing dishes?? You run out! We had a big truck come with a fireman's hose and fill up the tanks...for only 500 pesos ($16). Hopefully street water comes later in the week as it'd be great to not have to do that again!

Just a day

What a week, I can't believe it's already over. The team worked really hard and got the two classrooms well under-way and ready to lay block. Gira (top left) is still as cute as ever and is really warming up and loving on everyone which is great to see.

Today was an amazing day, despite everything. I was given the day mostly off by my fantastic Kids Alivers and I went to a new beach with friends and then came home to flowers and more flowers from friends that are so pretty (my friends and the flowers!). I'm reminded how special my days are here, how loved and protected I am, how supported I am...and I'm thankful to have gone through another "day".

And as one team was sent on the plane, another one arrived 2 hours later. We've got a full week ahead again as the school continues to be blessed by the work and friendship that they bring!

Beach day

We spent the afternoon and evening in Cabarete at the beach. It was a nice time to hang out and swim and enjoy the sun. The best part was dinner at Casanova, one of the greatest restaurants. Not such a bad evening!

P.S.

Their luggage all arrived on Monday night and we were all very excited.

Dump day

We spent yesterday morning in the Sosua dump. It was interesting to walk through and see it all. There are all sorts of people who work in the dump, sorting bottles and plastic, food and clothes. Trying to find things to eat, sell, save. It was a hard reality that this is their daily life...they were there yesterday, they will be there tomorrow. I don't know where their hope comes from to keep going back, to keep looking through the garbage alongside the cows. They sang for us and then we gave them a bit of lunch and water, and even that whole process was hard to take in. It reminds me that the difficulties I face in life are nothing. They are absolutely nothing.

First full day

We had our first full day with the Plano Bible team. We had to shuffle things around a bit because luggage didn't arrive and going to the beach isn't as fun without swimsuits. We went to Haitian church then went up the Puerto Plata mountain on cable cars and walked around for a bit. It's been a good day and we're still hoping for the bags to make their way here...or else it might be a long week in the same clothes!

Growing baby

I just have to show off how cute my little Princesa is now. She can roll over completely and is smily and happy and I love her so much.

Flexibility

Our newest team arrived yesterday afternoon...all 16 of them, with no luggage! Apparently the connection was too tight in Miami and not even one suitcase made the switch. They are being great though about it all and hopefully we'll see 30 suitcases on our doorstep later today! Looking forward to another fun week ahead.

My life

What is this life that I live that is hard to fully understand? Why is this now such a part of who I am? I long for others to know this, to see and feel as I do.

This is my life. It's waking up to the roosters at 5 am, then music from the loud speakers at 6:30. It's greeting Domy my neighbor in her salon next door and having oatmeal with cloves and milk for breakfast. It's the joy of my day to hear my kids singing after lunch, clapping and smiling, their tough exteriors wiped away even if for only 20 minutes. It's dirt roads, potholes, crossing rivers to get to the school, cane fields, rain and sun and heat. It's Spanish and Creole, rice and beans and plantains and yucca.

I feel like my life here is built on relationships and moments I get to spend with others. It's hearing Big Wilson speak English, hugging Zenida closely, watching mischevious little Vldamir get in trouble again. It's listening to Lydia's wisdom and watching Alberto' faith. It's getting special coffee made for me because Zeneida knows I love it. It's having Gira on my back saying to her dad "Papi, mira!" And it's watching Princesa grow, holding her tight, cuddling her when she cries.

I think this life is hard to understand because it has taken me so far away. But it's not about leaving family and friends, it's about finding them wherever I am. Yet, it's leaving, but it's not forgetting or loving any less. If anything, I cherish even more the time I am given with my family and friends.

When no electricity, bucket showers, dirt in the elbow crease that almost never seems to wash away, and a regular application of DEET have become such a way of life for me, it is hard to imagine anything else.

To be with these children, with those around my, that's what my days are. To not only share Jesus' joy with them, but to truly find it in their eyes and hearts. If only for today little Frankie knows that he is loved, that is enough for me, my job is done.

What started as a 5-week trip has now become my heart and my passion. It's tracing an 8 year old's hand because she can't write her name yet on a card to her sponsor. It's giving kids a chance, a help, a hope. Even if it means organizing yet another bag of clothes, translating one more time the same thing, or getting another fungal infection, I will take it all!

This is my life. Sometimes hard to undersand, seemingly chance for me to end up here, but feeling that it has been planned for years, these are my days. Sharing love, finding joy, letting go of self to discover something greater. I understand this life. I love this life.

And as rain echoes from the tin roof next door and the little girl in the street runs around in her undies chanting "lluvia, lluvia!", I feel at peace. For here, for now, this is where I belong.

Grateful

Whoever on the team thought that it was a good idea to leave a whole box of Reese's Puffs cereal...thank you. I am forever indebted to you. What a beautiful morning it was!

To be a Dominican...

Why I make a good Dominican:

I can wring out a mop with my hands and not think twice
I can ride a motorcycle side-saddle in a skirt
I like to eat rice and beans everyday


Why I don't make a good Dominican:

I don't wear a shower cap or plastic bag over my hair when it rains
I don't eat chicken feet
I can't make rice
I still don't like touching raw chicken
My hair doesn't need to be dried in rollers then wrapped around my head to be straight
I mop my house back to front, not front to back


I don't care if I can't be a good Dominican...I'm staying!

Team Week

We had such a great week, a quick, hot, sweaty week! A team was here from Missouri and worked on starting the new classrooms and painting the school. It all looks amazing! The school now matches our cafeteria, and the classrooms are well underway and on-track for starting a new class in the fall.

I got to hang out with my Princesa a bit this week too and I can't believe how big she's getting...she has a pony tail now and it's really cute. I miss having her around all the time and look forward to Monday when we get back to class and the Princesa comes to school again! On Thursday night we went to the beach for songtime which was one of my highlights for the week. A nice time to relax and enjoy the beach and each other and think about all that happened throughout the week.

I'm so grateful for all the hard work this team put in, the talks we had, the time we got to share together. I learned a lot this week and look forward to putting it to use in the weeks to come. Late nights and early mornings and a little gripe sickness later and the week went really fast.

Teams

Our first big official team has arrived! It's been great and all is well. We spent Sunday in Jarbacoa for a day trip to see the different Kids Alive sites and play at the waterfalls. It was a really nice day and good time to share about all that we do here. Today was working at the school, and they WORKED! They hauled loads and loads of concrete to fill in the massive footers that are the start to our new classrooms. It was a hot and sweaty day, but everyone came back fairly happy and content with the work they had done. And I got to hang out with Princesa, which makes any day better!

Fruits and Vegetables

So I went to the market today to get fruits and vegetables for the team. Again, never bought that many melons, plantains, or oranges in my life! I felt funny walking away with such quantities...but it's fun somehow too! The thing is, there just isn't room in the fridge for it all, and it all has to be kept somewhat cool cause it's so hot and the fruit ripens and vegetables go off within a few days. So needless to say, I have food coming literally packed into every corner of this house. Looking forward to using it all up and sharing with the group that arrives tomorrow.

Food buy

So one of my jobs is to buy the food for the groups that are staying in the house. Yesterday I did just that and look what happened to the kitchen!!! I haven't ever bought that much food in my life, I needed 2 shopping carts. Granted it is for 20+ people and they're here for a week, but that wasn't even all of it. Today I'm going to the fruit and vegetable market to get fresh things and then I'll do another shop mid-week! It's fun doing this job, I really liked shopping. We actually went to a bigger city called Santiago (were already on our way there) where they have the D.R. equivelant of Costco. I literally felt like I stepped back into the U.S. in this place, it was identical. From the items for sale, the set-up, samples, and ice cream and hot dogs and pizza after you pay. Of course we needed some ice cream after the hard day of shopping! Looking forward to the coming week and sharing with this group...hope they like D.R. Fruit Loops!

Village

I got to spend the day in the village today, going from house to house with letters and gifts to the kids from their sponsors. It is always a rewarding job that I'm thankful to have done. To sit with the kids and families and talk, hear about their lives, that's what I love about this place, that is what I love to be a part of. It's walking through the village and recognizing so many kids...but wanting to know all of them, wanting all of them in our school. As we construct new classrooms this summer, I hope that can become a reality. There are so many kids in the village, it's a big job ahead! And Princesa turned 4 months old today and was especially cute and smiley.

More beach photos

Beautiful

I had such an amazing day today. We went on an adventure and I had no idea what to expect. We went for about 2 hours driving, but it was incredible. The views on the drive were beautiful...I'm ready to buy land and build a house! We stopped along the way and were able to easily get to the beach which was totally secluded, not a person in sight. Sometimes I look around and it's hard to believe that not only to I get to work with fantastic kids and staff, but I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. It was nice to sit on the beach for a bit and take it all in, be reminded of how little I am in this big world, and all the opportunities that are laid out before me. I need days like today!

Summer

Summer is here! It's upon us in heat, teams, change of pace, everything. We currently have our first work team at Caraballo and it's been a fun week. It's a nice reminder as I talk with them, about why I'm here and what it is that I really do. The heat is...hot! I'm thankful for fans and showers and knowing that if I'm desperate the beach is 15 mins away. I've been able to hang out with Princesa recently too which I love because she's a great little baby. Lots of plans coming together for the summer as we prepare for all the teams coming in, I know it will all be great!

New Job Description

So I didn't know I was going to double as a vet while here too, but I'm open to whatever role comes my way. This week it was injecting our 80 hens with Penicillin as they were sick. They needed 3 days of it and I got to give 2 because I went to Jarabacoa on day 3. Oh the lessons I learn!

Flood

So this was yesterday...a very long day! Lots of water, smelly septic water, but at least it's over. Alberto and I mopped and swept out water for awhile until some friends came over to help which I was so grateful for. They finished off the house and left it smelling Mistolin-clean. I did about 4 loads of towel and throw-rug wash and am happy we have 7 bunks in one room as they serve as great drying racks (it's still raining outside). What a great group of people I have around me, even when things are smelly and rough, they stuck around and made it all better. I think we've resolved the issue of water entering the house...or will have by the end of the day anyways. I'm happy to never do that again.

House update

I've been meaning to put on some photos of the almost-ready-for-teams updates to the house. The kitchen got a pantry closet, my bedroom got a closet...and 10 bunkbeds arrived. We can hold up to 20 people now, plus one extra in my bed if we really need to!

Bedtime yet?

This was my day:

Injected 80 hens with penicillin because they are ill
Mopped, swept, mopped, bucketed, mopped, and mopped the flooded house.
Filled in holes in bathroom where water came in from

The rain continues, the water continues, the street is a river.

"Is this what they did when the flood started?", I wondered at times today. Then I remembered the rainbow and that He won't do that again...but it's getting close, it feels like.

Off to bed finally as I don't know what tomorrow will hold, I'll post more if I can!

Photos from last day of school and mother's day

One more song, all for you Candace!

More songtime, mainly for Candace's heart

Mother's Day and Last day of School

Today was a very special day at the care center. It was the last day of school and also a celebration for Mother's Day, which is this weekend in the D.R. The kids had a special lunch with Coke at noon, went home and changed and got their moms, then all came back at 3:00. The kids had poem presentations, lots of singing and clapping, more food, and each kid was given a bag of clothes to take home. I am so blessed to be a part of this. Sometimes I just sit in my favorite window seat in the cafeteria trying to take it all in, how each one of these kids has touched my heart so dearly. Whether it's little Wilson's hugs, Princesa's smile, mischevious Vladimir, naughty Jesny, or Ramoncito blowing kisses, each and every one of these little guys is so dear to me. I feel like I was given 150 kids by coming here and now feel so protective of them, I just want to take care of them and to show them how loved and special they are.

Singing at the school, my favorite time of the day

More firsts for Princesa

Little Princesa got to go hiking yesterday! We hiked up the Puerto Plata mountain yesterday and she did it with us. Okay, so the photo makes it look like I carried her all the way, but we actually traded her off! It was a hot day, especially wearing a blanket! On the way back down we swam in the river and waterfalls which made the whole sweaty adventure worth it!

We're into our last week of school this week before a few weeks break and summer program starts. I can't believe we're already into summer. Our summer teams start in two weeks which will be fun and challenging to have them in the house and excellent to have them in the school and village. I can't wait to see all that happens this summer.

Warming up

The high for today is 91

It feels like it too!

Back to school

All continues well at the school, I got to go for just a bit today as there is lots of work still going on at the house to be there for. I wish I could fully describe how dear these kids are, what they mean to me, how grateful I am to spend my days with them. I'm also grateful to cuddle on little Princesa all day...I can't wait for the weekend to watch her again!

Picture update

Just a few pictures from the Kids Alive retreat a few weekends back...these are the Kids Alive-ers that are living all over the island. We got to all get together and catch up and talk and it was a nice time to see everyone again.

What's for dinner?

Oh that's right, chicken. I want the feet this time though.

(don't forget you can click on the photo for a better look, it's worth it!)

Weekend

We had a fun few days with our baby, she's getting cuter by the day! When I was in Guatemala I bought one of those shoulder sacks for carrying babies in...and got to try it out this weekend with little Princesa. She LOVED it! She was crying for her sack, or so we translated it as such. She's happiest when she's sleeping in her sack and that's the way we like her!

Candace left today for Canada until (hopefully) the end of August. The house is already sad and empty without her, but I trust that good things are going to happen this summer and this is the way it is all supposed to be! Doesn't mean I have to like it though, right?

Baby weekend

We get to have the baby again for the weekend and it's so fun. She's really happy right now and I love her smiles. What fun it is to be a weekend mom!

Big

Just wanted to show you the mammal-sized cockroaches! Notice the actual splattering of guts, that's how liquidy they are!

Reflections

The following was written by Naomi Gillette, who was here in March with Mercy Ships. This so perfectly sums up many aspects of daily life here, the things that take place, the heart that this has given me...


I went to the Dominican Republic and:

Sometime I felt rich,
but mostly I felt poor, as I saw the true riches of the poor.

Sometimes I felt capable of giving,
but mostly I received.

Sometimes I had words,
but mostly the touches, the smiles, the outstretched welcoming hands said more than a thousand words.

Sometimes I felt loving and capable of giving love,
but more overwhelmingly I felt loved, accepted and even desired.

Sometimes I longed to see the big picture,
but mostly God showed me that it’s the orphan and widow, one person at a time, that He’s concerned for, this is the big picture!

Sometimes I wanted to feel spiritual,
but mostly God taught me that his love is best communicated in less-than-spiritual things.

Sometimes I expected to see a spirit of hopelessness and despair,
but mostly I saw supernatural joy.

Sometimes I felt wise,
but mostly I felt humbled by the people’s resilience to adversity, their generosity, and their love for, and trust in Jesus.

Sometimes I felt big,
but mostly I felt small and realised that small is big in that mysterious, beautiful, paradoxical kingdom that Christ gave us a glimpse of.

May His kingdom come and His will be done in the Dominican Republic.

A people filled with joy that taught me so much!

Hen house complete!

The much anticipated day finally arrived! Today we got 80 hens delivered and it was so much fun. We had some of the older kids help us get the inside of the henhouse ready and then set the hens free in their new home. It's going to be so great having them, using the eggs to supplement meals at the school. It was the idea of Mercy Ships, who started in in March, but because of rain, etc., it's taken this long to get everything together and ready. Nonetheless, we have lovely hens and had a fun afternoon with them, making sure everything was in place and set-up.

A bit of home

Last weekend we went to a Kids Alive retreat in Constanza...the mountains. It was a nice time to see others from around the island that I don't get to see or spend that much time with. To get there, we had to go through one of the main cities, Santiago, and it just so happens they have Taco Bell...and it was amazing! So amazing in fact, that on our way back, we stopped again and brought home burritos. It felt very American to sit on my couch eating Taco Bell take-out!

Needs

So one of the things that didn't make it in my big move was my nursing drug guide reference. It was one of the things I was really excited about getting here, but have been unable to find it...not really sure where it went. Anyhow, for all my little nurses out there, if any of you have an old one that you don't need and would be willing to send it on, let me know. All the medicines we use are donated from people in the States, many times they are new or unfamiliar meds that I haven't had much practice with, hence the need for the nursing reference. It's possible to look them up online to get more info, but not when I'm in the village and needing a med. Anyhow, let me know if there are any old nursing drug guides around, thanks!!

Weekend with the baby

We got to have baby Princesa stay with us this weekend which was so fun. It's the first of many weekends that we get to be mommies to her and it was fantastic. Lots of bottles and diapers and tears, but also lots of laughs and smiles and cuddling. She is so fantastic in the morning, really happy and smiley and so sweet...makes up for her mid-afternoon meltdowns! I can't wait for our next weekend with her.

Cofresi Beach

Monday was a national holiday so I got to spend the afternoon at the beach. We walked along the shoreline where all the rocks are, through caves and tunnels, it was brilliant! So much fun, although it did actually make my feet bleed because some of the rocks were so sharp. Really nice day off...any day at the beach is nice though.

House Dedication

We had a house dedication on Saturday which went really well. There were 40-ish people that came to help bless and dedicate the house. It was a good time to share the vision for what is ahead for the teams that will share in the house as well as for the school. We sang, prayed, had a small talk, ate lots and drank fantastic juice. It was a great way to start into the house, really putting into action what we hope the house can be.